rosiemontrose

Rosie,

I just wanted to mention that if you were to do a river cruise, there is little chance you will ever feel trapped - particularly the Rhine. If you want off the ship at any time, you can jump in the river and walk to shore (the Rhine is not deep) and knowing that and also that there will never be a time you can't see land, I believe that this sort of cruise might be your best option for your first cruise. Look at lines like Uniworld, Tauck, Avalon, Crystal River Cruises and Viking River Cruises. Many river cruise lines don't charge a single supplement either - check that out as it can save you a lot of money. Also, river ships only have 40 - 190 passengers - they are not huge ships, so no big crowds and any of the problems associated with big crowds don't exist on these ships - in fact the river cruises tend to be more patient and look out for each other. All cabins have windows, some have French balconies, some have true balconies, but no matter where you cabin is, you can walk to the open deck quickly.

Thank you for the thought. Unfortunately, all the river cruises I fancy doing involve flying somewhere first in order to get to them. Flying is a whole other can of worms. And - if I'd thought I might make myself get on the plane in the first place, the BA debacle over this weekend has reminded me that it's simply not worth it. In a million years! (For me.) If not for that I would absolutely love to do some river cruises, especially in the US - especially the Mississippi - ooh, the thought of visiting Nashville, Memphis, New Orleans... No. I mustn't think of it. Not yet, anyway - maybe later when I've done a few other cruises....

You are not alone feeling this way. I went on my first cruise and loved it. I was fine in large windowless theatres and rooms. Ships are excellent at having atriums that appear sunny and well lit even though they are enclosed.

 

................

 

You might find that this is the best vacation ever! You are adventuresome and willing to get out of your comfort zone. Enjoy!

 

Lisa:cool:

Thank you for sharing your experiences, Lisa!

I was struck by how light and 'open' the public areas seemed throughout the ship - previously having had concerns about that, I now have none.

Anywhere that loads of people are likely to gather I will naturally gravitate to the edge so I'll be okay on that score, I reckon, too.

Yes - I have my strategy, and the more I read about cruises and ships the more I will add to it.

Wishing you a fab second cruise!!!

I imagine claustrophobia is different for different people. However, I have a good friend who is very claustrophobic, she cruises often, and has absolutely no problem with it. Like you, she won't go in elevators. But she doesn't even mind a cruise with an inside cabin. Good luck to you.

I totally salute her for not minding an inside cabin!!! I did try to look at one of those but couldn't even make myself go in - it was like a little tunnel just to get in... I am open, though, to the possibility of becoming more used to it so that if I start with a balcony, then maybe I could try one with no balcony the time after that - um - actually - maybe not...

Thanks for reporting back. Please let us know once you take a cruise as well. Just so you know, the deadbolt CAN be opened from the hallway in case of an emergency but only certain crew members have that key/authorization.

Thank you - good to know!!!

Thank you, Jo! I just need to find a way of getting a reasonable price given that it's about twice the price for a balcony cabin than a non-balcony cabin - and then twice that again for solo... I just need to know more, but I will soon!!!

I thought I'd update as I've now been on a ship visit on the Oriana in Southampton. I was surprised at how 'open' everywhere in the ship felt despite knowing that it isn't really open at all.

I couldn't handle the smallest cabin. Couldn't even walk in the door of it. However, the next one up with the big square window looked a lot better and I thought I might be able to handle that, but I know that I really do need two exits, so it does have to be a balcony cabin.

The tour guide was brilliant and allowed himself to be locked into a cabin with me... (cue lots of loud suggestions and nudge-nudges-say-no-more etc from the rest of the group...)...

And it was okay - although I'm not sure I could put the other lock on - if the door can't be opened from the outside just on the ordinary door mechanism, I'm wondering what the point of the secondary lock is. I can't see that it's needed, so I don't need to worry about it.

Anyway, even if the door to the corridor and the door to the balcony both jam there is the telephone to call someone to get me out.

I was talked out of booking a short cruise, which I'd thought might be the next step - apparently, too many of them are over-run with, uh, rowdiness...

So, now I just need to renew my passport and work out where and when. Yay!!!

So, there it is - my report. And thank you again for all your help!!!

The Wallace Collection is a fab place to visit: http://www.wallacecollection.org/

Lots to see as well as to indulge in: http://www.afternoontea.co.uk/uk/london/marylebone-paddington/the-wallace-restaurant/

"The Wallace Restaurant is located within the beautiful Wallace Collection gallery on Manchester Square, considered to be one of the best collections of fine arts including paintings, porcelain and furnishings in the UK.

Flooded with natural light, and dotted with trees and sculptures, The Wallace Restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy Afternoon Tea in impressive surroundings.

Indulge in a selection of freshly made sandwiches, perfectly dainty scones with clotted cream and Peyton and Byrne preserves, followed by a selection of delicious cakes, with the option to add a glass of champagne."

I think that's a good idea. I have a similar condition, but with me it's only slight. I don't like feeling trapped. I have had balcony cabins and indoor cabins. The last time I had an indoor cabin I said never again because I couldn't stand not being able to tell day from night and for some reason that really bothered me. ...........

 

It might help to view some youtube videos of the ship so you will be a bit more familiar with it.

Thank you for telling me about your own experiences. Ref the door-thing - since it was all very kindly explained to me I have realised that there are a few doors in my everyday life that open electronically from the outside but yet are opened mechanically from the inside. This has made me feel a lot better about that side of things.

You are right about the balcony doors - they don't need to be open enough to affect the aircon - only enough to show they're not shut/locked (and jammed locked).

Thank you for the other suggestions - they've all gone on my list!

Good luck, I too suffer from claustrophobia, not the worst type, I can go in a lift, but if it gets stuck, well...... not good.

 

Can't stand being in an inside cabin more more than a brief time, (like minutes not hours).

 

But never had aproblem on a ship (I do book balcony cabins).

Thank you for the encouragement. On the recommendation of someone who suffers with a different phobia I'm trying out some rescue remedy too. After all, any and every little thing could help, I reckon.

And remember, we can be a mixture of personalities - good and bad - on these boards but you can be assured that everyone on this thread is crossing their fingers and toes in wishes for you to have a positive experience.

What a fab thing to say! Thank you.

All of the rooms come with phones so you can communicate with the crew 24 hours a day. The crew members can be at your room quickly if you need them.

That's good to know. Thank you. I'm thinking maybe I could prime someone on-board beforehand, too. Just in case.

You'll have fun and enjoy your "floating hotel". Make sure you tell them on board about your issue and that you want to book a cruise but need to actually see cabins.

Yes, I will, although the chap on the phone said there wouldn't be time for me to have a proper look (ie - shut myself in and see if I come out in one piece, or not). But I will ask the person who is actually there on the day of the ship visit.

Well done for booking a visit... make sure you see a cabin.

Fred Olsen has a one night cruise on Dec 13th, from London to Southampton... they're offering a special single rate.

C&M are doing 2 nights from Newport to Dublin then Liverpool on June 4th... I'm not sure where you're based, but there's a coach back to Wales if you needed it.

I'm a little dubious about actually seeing the cabin - when I rang to make the booking the chap said they wouldn't have time for me to try and shut myself into a cabin to see if I could; that the tour was done in a bit of a hurry because straight afterwards the ship sets off on a cruise. But I intend asking someone else when I actually get there. Otherwise it's all a bit pointless...

Thank you for the suggestions - I shall check them out.

Good for you!

Thank you!

There are tens of millions of people cruising each year and claustrophobia is not very uncommon so you are certainly not alone.

 

For you it's locks, for me it's heights. Somehow, walking on glass looking down from the bridge doesn't bother me at all on a ship while it certainly would on land. Ships are different!

 

If you think you can't handle muster drill, send an email and they probably will find a solution. I'm sure you'll be fine. Enjoy your cruise!

Thank you for your encouragement. I shall make sure to bear in mind that everything is different on a ship so maybe I won't be claustrophobic at all!

In the meantime I have booked to go on a ship visit on the Oriana next month. (Eek!)

I also have a problem with claustrophobia. I did a 4 night cruise on royal Caribbean enchantment of the seas. Had a balcony room and had no problem at all in the room. However! I almost started hyperventilating during muster! It was out on deck by the lifeboats and very crowded! I wish I had thought to move to the front or side! I would look in to what lines do the drills in the theater or dining room. Good luck and breathe!

It's interesting that you had no problem in your cabin at all. Also encouraging.

Forewarned is forearmed - I shall make sure to be on the front or side during any group sessions. Thank you!

A fear of being trapped is a common symptom of anxiety or panic attacks and can be set off by being in a crowd. For me, I experience it sometimes if I go to a show on a ship and it feels too crowded. Sometimes I just cannot stay in the theater as I feel trapped and like I might die and I leave my husband to watch the show alone and go back to our cabin to calm down. I had a bad attack in the Sistine Chapel ...

 

Xanax ....

 

aft cabins.........

Crikey - I might just give the Sistine Chapel a miss....

Thank you for the usage tips ref Xanax - I think my doctor will give me stuff for claustrophobia which will be similar even if not exactly Xanax.

And for the tips ref aft cabins etc - I'm making notes of all this!

I think that's a presciption drug. You can talk to your doctor about your situation and ask if he or she can prescribe it to you.

Yes, I will. It would be reassuring to have it as backup even if I didn't use it...

I too have an irrational fear of being trapped. I obsessively plan escape routes. I hate elevators and use stairs when I can. My first cruise was solo in an inside cabin, I chose a cabin on a higher deck so I could get up on deck in case the ship started to sink lol.

 

The cabins doors don't jam. Even if you put the lock on by turning the handle it disengages. I was still nervous of being in an inside room, but I felt confident I could get out in an emergency.

 

...........

 

I also recommend the happy drugs 😉

Thank you! That's very useful. I am working myself up to this. I am definitely going to do it....

The Hull one is July 11th; n/C one 22nd. There's also a one nighter from Greenock in August. :)

Thank you! Yes, a one night one would be best for the first one to make sure there's not going to be a big problem... I think I might do a ship's visit even before that, too.

Holland America has four of their smaller ships that would suit your needs, but only one sails in Europe in the summer. MS Rotterdam sails from Rotterdam. (The other three are Maasdam, Veendam, and Volendam). On these ships they took Ocean View cabins on the Lower Promenade deck and cut doors into them, so that you can exit your cabin directly onto the promenade. And you have two reclining deck chairs with pads reserved for your use just outside your door. You could keep your drapes open as you sleep so that you could see the open deck when you waken, or you could take a blanket out and sleep in one of your chairs if need be. If you go to www.cruisedeckplans.com and bring up the Lower Promenade deckplan, there are a few cabins with pictures. Click on the camera icon beside the cabin. (Pictures are quite small unless you are a member). Alternatively, you could Google Rotterdam Lanai cabin pictures and you will get some. EM

This sounds promising. And the pictures look promising, too! Thank you so much! Good excuse to go to Holland, too. Win-win.

Xanax. That is all. Have it in case you need it and then have fun.

Sounds good to me! *writes 'Xanax' on shopping list* (Although I'm not sure where I could get them.)

Concerning the balcony door... it would be bad form to leave it open. As others have already explained about air conditioning and wind tunnels and such. And you don't want to be one of those people who act like they can do anything they want to just because it is their vacation and they paid for it. However, consider a couple of things. If your cruise is in an area where the weather is not that hot, then disruption of the air conditioning is not that big a deal. Do the Norwegian coast or Baltic Sea, not the Med. Also, note that the balcony door will open. Just like the door into the hallway, it will open. Even when its closed, it will open when you want it to open. ...

Stan

Thank you for your thoughts! They make a good deal of sense. Also for the reassurance that everything will open. Oh, yes it will! I shall do this. Indeed, I will.

I've been on a few ferries - from Newcastle to Bergen - they don't run that one anymore, which is a real shame or I'd go to Norway. I love Norway. Also Harwich to the Hook of Holland. Mind you those trips were in the days before any phobias had come my way. I've just checked out a ferry from Plymouth to Santander in a cabin with a balcony - to get an equivalent situation - but just the cost of the return trip on the ferry (without any stay anywhere) would easily cover a four-night cruise to Guernsey and Belgium (as a starter trip) so - when I get myself together, I think I'll go straight for the cruise ship. Coo - listen to me!

Everything will open! (my new mantra)

Of course you can sleep on your balcony! You probably won't have a cot but you can always bring a sleeping bag and roll it out on the balcony with your pillow and have a wonderful sleep. The last time we were on a suite I fell asleep on the cot on the balcony. It was awesome!

Ooh - the possibilities now become endless! Thank you.

I just finished reading someone's account of his cruise. He had pictures showing how he'd strung a hammock on his balcony. Said he slept out there some nights.

Ooh - thanks for that! *writes 'hammock' on shopping list*